13. They carried his body to the land of Canaan. They buried it in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre. Abraham had bought this cave and field from Ephron the Hittite. He bought the cave to use as a burial place.
14. After Joseph buried his father, he returned to Egypt. His brothers and everyone who had gone with him to bury his father also returned.
15. After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph is still angry with us? We did many wrong things to him. What if he plans to pay us back?”
16. So they sent a message to Joseph. It said, “Your father gave this command before he died.
17. He said to us, ‘You have done wrong. You have sinned and done evil to Joseph. Tell Joseph to forgive you, his brothers.’ So now, Joseph, we beg you to forgive our wrong. We are the servants of the God of your father.” When Joseph received the message, he cried.
18. And his brothers went to him and bowed low before him. They said, “We are your slaves.”
19. Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Can I do what only God can do?
20. You meant to hurt me. But God turned your evil into good. It was to save the lives of many people. And it is being done.
21. So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kind words to them.